I want to start playing with linux, i dont want to split my hardrive, nor install linux as my only os. how can i install it onto a cd drive
Hi, Welcome to RazeTheWorld.
To answer your question, there are a couple different ways you can do this, but I think this would be the easiest way for you to try linux:
1) First you must pick a distribution of Linux. There are many different distributions, but because this is your first time with linux, I would personally recommend Ubuntu (http://www.ubuntu.com/), as it is extremely friendly with Windows users.
2) With that being said, Ubuntu has a native live boot feature, in which you neither need to split, or partition your hard drive, nor install it at all. The live boot feature allows you to try linux risk free.
3) To do this, you simply need to burn the Ubuntu ISO file (an disk image file) to a DVD in a bootable manner. There is a free program called imgburn which does an amazing job at this. Here are both setup files:
U[b]buntu -[/b] http://mira.sunsite.utk.edu/ubuntu-releases//maverick/ubuntu-10.10-desktop-i386.iso
[b]IMGBurn -[/b] http://download.imgburn.com/SetupImgBurn_2.5.2.0.exe
Next you will need to burn the iso to a disk, using either imgburn, or the software of your choice.
4) After burning, you need to boot from the DVD, you may need to configure your boot order in your bios settings to make your DVD/CD-ROM drive first in the boot order (Let me know if you need help doing so). After doing so, the disk should load automatically, and you will get the welcome screen, the welcome screen contains an option called Try Ubuntu, simply select that option and ubuntu will boot as if it were installed on your hard drive.
5) When you're done trying out linux, just shut down, ubuntu will remind you to remove the disk and you should boot back to windows (you may have to add your hard drive back as the first boot device in your bios settings).
Let me know if you have any more questions, or if there is something you don't understand, I'll be happy to explain further.
I was gonna look for where you reccomend a completely useless burner, but I see that you chose the best one :]
imgburn is epicly simple, and does the job best.
Very nice guide Nate. Indeed, IMGBurn is ridiculously simple to use, and does a fantastic job.
You might want to try Linux Mint as well. It's very similar to Ubuntu, but it has a bit more stuff installed by default. You might be better off with this if you just want to use the live CD.
Nate pretty much out lined it all. I would like to add to that
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/windows-installer
When you boot from a dvd you WILL notice a very slow OS because its not running off your hard drive. You can use Wubi to install Ubuntu and then uninstall it. It's very simple. I currently have ubuntu 10.10 and win7 in dual boot. It's a nice OS.
I never recommend Wubi to anyone, I've had so many bad experiences with it destroying my master boot record.
Always partition if you want linux permanently installed.
Nate said:
I never recommend Wubi to anyone, I've had so many bad experiences with it destroying my master boot record.
Always partition if you want linux permanently installed.
Really? That's strange. It's worked flawlessly for me. I could have always done it the "proper" way but im lazy. :p
Ubuntu on USB drive is king.
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download
For anyone who wants to go crazy and check these out.
[url=http://www.livecdlist.com/]List of Linux live CDs[/url]